TCPUAAV Chapter 150

 

Three days later, the victorious young soldiers returned with a squad of troops, escorting the former Fox King and the ex-Leader of the Merfolk to stand trial before the military tribunal. Normally, military court proceedings were not made public, but this time, Rong Heng made an exception—inviting media outlets and allowing the entire trial to be broadcast.

 

The prolonged civil war had finally come to an end, and the war-weary citizens of the Empire could finally breathe a sigh of relief. News of a public trial for the war criminals quickly reignited interest across the HoloNet. Once filled with anxiety and uncertainty, the online sphere now surged with anticipation as everyone tuned in punctually to witness the verdict.

 

But the trial turned out to be far lengthier than expected. The charges against the Merfolk leader and the Fox King grew increasingly horrifying with each session. Even more chilling was the fact that these accusations were not the result of political machinations or baseless rumors—they were all supported by conclusive, irrefutable evidence.

 

Data from illegal human experimentation was made public. In the video footage, countless identical cloned corpses were shown piled like refuse in the cargo bays of transport ships.

 

Evidence of collusion with the Zerg was also released. The Merfolk leader had assisted the Zerg in bypassing the frontlines, infiltrating the rear star regions of the Empire, leading to the massacre on Lunka Star…

 

Every crime was laid bare without the slightest concealment, sparking public outrage across the HoloNet.

 

And yet, these charges were not even the most severe. The presiding judge picked up the final dossier and looked toward the spectator gallery—at Rong Heng.

 

Rong Heng gave a slight nod, prompting the judge to finally read out the last charge: Treason.

 

Not only had the Merfolk instigated a civil war for their own selfish desires, but—most shockingly—sixteen years ago, the Merfolk leader, the Fox King, the heads of the four major conglomerates, and the commander of the Holy Legion had all conspired with the Zerg to assassinate Queen Farah.

 

Queen Farah had not fallen in battle at the front lines—she had died in a filthy, calculated conspiracy. And the war between the Empire and the Zerg should have ended sixteen years ago.

 

Peace, once within reach, had been shattered by the ambition of conspirators.

 

All relevant video footage had already been released on the HoloNet for the public to access freely.

 

After four full days of trial, public attention reached its peak. The footage had garnered an astronomical number of views, and with every citizen who watched it, another voice was added to the chorus of condemnation against these criminals.

 

This was the effect Rong Heng had intended to achieve.

 

Spurred by a flood of public petitions, the two defendants were ultimately sentenced to death.

 

As for the already deceased heads of the four conglomerates and the leader of the Holy Legion, though they could no longer face legal judgment, their crimes were not forgotten.

 

The Holy Legion was officially classified as a heretical cult and firmly disbanded. Ordinary followers who withdrew immediately would not be prosecuted, but any high-ranking member involved in human experimentation was placed on the Empire’s most-wanted list. All captured individuals would face punishment proportional to their crimes.

 

As for the Four Great Conglomerates, although their leaders were dead, the corporations—each with centuries of legacy—had not collapsed.

 

Rong Heng seized the opportunity to strike at the foundations of these economic behemoths.

 

He first ordered the detention of the families and children of the four leaders, sending all who had knowledge of the crimes to stand trial in the military court. Then he took control of the corporations’ key executives and upper management. Under intense pressure and temptation, many defected, revealing critical internal secrets.

 

Rong Heng used this information to further direct the investigation toward the conglomerates themselves.

 

This campaign lasted for nearly half a year. Taking advantage of the rare opportunity, Rong Heng carried out a sweeping purge, ultimately bringing the economic lifeblood of the Empire under his control.

 

At the same time, Ruan Shiqing used the internal turmoil within the conglomerates to spearhead a wave of technological innovation, officially launching the widespread application of antimatter energy. For the first time, the Military Weapons Research Institute, under the Ministry of War, demonstrated its capabilities, partnering with numerous previously suppressed emerging companies thanks to its mastery of antimatter technology.

 

In just half a year, the Empire experienced explosive advancements in energy, weaponry, warship production, and transportation. Without the oligarchs suppressing the market, many outstanding companies were able to grow rapidly. Meanwhile, the once-dominant conglomerates—unable to access core antimatter technology due to the Research Institute’s refusal to collaborate and further hampered by Rong Heng’s deliberate suppression—began to show signs of decline. Their subsidiaries and assets were gradually sold off, either nationalized, absorbed by the Research Institute, or acquired by newly rising corporations.

 

Given time, these former titans that once ruled the Galactic Empire would fade into history.

 

And yet, this was but a small first step toward fulfilling Queen Farah’s dream.

 

With internal strife temporarily resolved, the only threat remaining was external.

 

Although Siyan had successfully destroyed the Zerg’s central hive, slaughtered all the remaining high-ranking Zerg, and eradicated their incubation nests, many scattered Zerg still roamed the Empire’s star systems. However, without commanders or reinforcements, the Zerg were running out of steam.

 

Even while focusing on dismantling the conglomerates, Rong Heng had never ignored the Zerg menace.

 

In his capacity as Crown Prince of the Empire, Rong Heng summoned all planetary governors to a summit on Sikkim.

 

Two-thirds of the attending planets had once been members of the Eastern Alliance and had crossed paths with Rong Heng in the past. Though his status had changed, they were no strangers to him. These were planets Rong Heng had personally led troops to rescue, and they held great trust in his capabilities. Thus, when Rong Heng proposed abandoning the centuries-old strategy of maintaining the four frontline regions, his decision was met with little resistance.

 

—No longer would defense be concentrated solely at the front lines. Instead, forces would be strategically dispersed—some remaining stationed on Sikkim, while others were assigned to garrison various planets across the Empire.

 

This strategy was the result of repeated deliberation between Rong Heng and his military commanders.

 

The task of fending off the Zerg would no longer fall solely on the four major frontline sectors. It would now be evenly distributed across nine administrative regions and over three hundred planets.

 

These planets, grouped by administrative district, would support each other and maintain mutual vigilance.

 

Each planet already had existing military forces, and with reinforcements from the former frontlines now deployed among them, their efforts to hunt down and eliminate the Zerg would become more efficient and coordinated.

 

The shadow of terror once cast by the Zerg invasion was finally beginning to lift. Though minor Zerg incursions still troubled the occasional planet, they no longer found themselves isolated and helpless. Instead, they now held the initiative—actively launching preemptive strikes.

 

Another six months passed, and the Zerg had virtually disappeared from the Empire’s star systems.

 

The planets once ravaged by the Zergs began to rebuild, emerging from the darkness with the support of the Empire to forge new homes and brighter futures.

 

As for Crown Prince Rong Heng, the one who had brought hope back to the Empire—even though he had never held a coronation, in the hearts of the people, he was already the uncrowned king.

 

The Imperial Parliament and the governors of various star systems had inquired multiple times about the coronation, yet Rong Heng never offered a definitive answer. Now that both internal strife and external threats had been quelled and the Empire stood poised for a new beginning, the calls for his ascension grew louder and more urgent.

 

Taking advantage of the nation’s celebratory mood following the eradication of the Zerg, many officials concerned for the Empire’s future sent letters urging him to claim the throne. Even the HoloNet was flooded with posts asking: “Has His Highness the Crown Prince held his coronation today?”

 

The answer, of course, was no.

 

Rong Heng remained unmoved by all the urging. After three days of nationwide celebration, he convened the first press conference in Imperial history—and stunned the galaxy by announcing he would renounce his claim to the throne.

 

The press room erupted into chaos.

 

But the young man standing at the podium only smiled faintly and continued speaking as if the announcement had been nothing more than a formality:

 

“The Galactic Empire has endured for thousands of years, but as it stands now, the current system is riddled with deep flaws—flaws that are actively hindering our progress. The Empire has already begun to decline.”

 

He paused, his expression turning somber. “The crises we’ve faced are proof enough of that.”

 

“The Empire spans nine major administrative regions, overseeing more than three hundred habitable planets across twenty-four star systems. And in the future, our reach may grow even further… With so many planets under our banner, their fates should not be decided by a single emperor.”

 

A wise monarch might guide the galaxy to prosperity—but more often than not, a single misstep by the ruler could plunge the entire Empire into ruin.

 

Just as it had in the past.

 

“No nation’s rise or fall should hinge on the will of one man.”

 

His gaze swept across the stunned audience, his tone growing more solemn: “That is why I have decided to renounce my right to inherit the throne. I hereby abolish the monarchy and declare the transition of the Galactic Empire into the Galactic Republic. All planetary governors are to convene in Sikkim, where we will establish the Galactic Assembly, elect new leadership, and jointly draft the legal charter of our new republic…”

 

It was a seismic decision—one that sent shockwaves through the entire star system.

 

Unsurprisingly, it sparked fierce debate. Some supported it, others opposed. The HoloNet exploded with argument and speculation. But even amid the chaos, the planetary governors began arriving in Sikkim to attend the first session of the Galactic Assembly.

 

The summit lasted nearly a month and was broadcast live in its entirety. Heated debates raged among the delegates, but eventually, they reached a consensus and finalized the new Republican Charter.

 

—The monarchy was officially abolished.

—The Imperial Parliament was disbanded.

—The Galactic Assembly became the highest legislative body.

—The Speaker of the Galactic Assembly, elected by the delegates, would serve as the supreme leader of the Republic.

—Delegates themselves would be elected autonomously by each planet.

 

The Republic’s duty was to protect the interests of every planet, while each planet in turn was required to send representatives to assist the Speaker in governing the Republic.

 

The first election of the Galactic Assembly lasted three months. Unsurprisingly, Rong Heng was elected Speaker of the Galactic Assembly with an overwhelming majority.

 

His title had changed, but the burden on his shoulders remained just as heavy.

 

Ruan Shiqing and the young cubs also took on their own roles within the new government, each one busy with their duties and responsibilities.

 

And finally, once everything had settled…It was already autumn once more.

 

The family, at long last, could take a moment to rest.

 

 

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I was wondering if they could’ve managed to reach a trust with the Zergs again like their mothers once tried, but I guess all those gentle Zergs no longer exist huh :’((

 

Thanks for reading!

For every three ko-fis, I will upload a bonus chapter~